Weekly Register: Pirate Flags and A Bottle Of Rum

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chesGrid Talk On The Emerald Seas
Country’s sailor of the emerald seas, Kenny Chesney, pulled into Nielsen SoundScan harbor this week with almost 153,000 debut units in tow (43% digital) and No. 1 positions across both the Country and Top 200 album charts. Great news like that would surely be a reason to pour some Blue Chair Bay Rum to celebrate. Especially when the rum is named after your own label, Blue Chair Records. (KC’s previous release Welcome To The Fishbowl debuted the week ended 6/24/12 with 193k.)
Unfortunately, even the Chesney stimulus was not buoyant enough to keep country sales above water. YTD country album sales dipped from a meager +.4% last week to -.4% this week. Looking back to the same time in 2012, it’s easy to see why the numbers fell. During the week ended 5-6-12 there was a Carrie Underwood debut (Blown Away) with 267k units and Lionel Richie’s Tuskegee in release week 6, at No. 2 logging 64k units. This week’s No. 2 position, behind Chesney, was the affable Blake Shelton also in release week 6, but with a lighter load of about 35k in weekly scans. Therefore the YTD slipped.
But speaking about Shelton, the Voice coach performed a sizzling rendition of “Need You Now” with a very sultry Shakira on last night’s show. The video link is here. Is it my imagination or does Shelton seem to be sweating like crazy? Also send out a full-scale extreme star power alert: watch 16-year-old Danielle Bradbury sing “Maybe It Was Memphis.”
weeklygrid5-5-13The Randy Rogers Band also jumped in and out of bins this week with Trouble gathering a No. 3 position on the country chart with almost 26k units (62% digital).
Next week anxious fans will receive Lady A’s new Golden, plus Chesney’s wk 2 tally, which will strengthen country’s YTD stats. (Lady A’s last album scored a robust 347k units the week ended 9-18-11.) And there’s more! Watch for a new Pistol Annies and a solo effort form Natalie Maines.
Weekly Register, after a thorough analysis of the upcoming week and exhaustive comparison research now predicts with great certainty, it’s a lock that country YTD sales will float into positive territory next week.
weeklygrid4-28-13Tracking Our Progress
Chesney’s No. 1 album debut was also reflected, although to a lesser degree, on the tracks chart. The island pirate hoisted six tracks onto the country top 100 with the highest, “Pirate Flag” landing at no. 12 with almost 39k downloads. Eleven notches higher up the chart at No. 1 (again!) is the irrepressible duo named after something you can’t even see, Florida Georgia Line. FGL slugged out another combined 145k downloads of its massive multi-format hit “Cruise.” The song is now blessed with over 3.1 million downloads RTD. Actually the country version of the song registered almost 54k of the 145k this week with the remix featuring Nelly contributing the additional 95k.
fglnellyAlso deserving mention in slots No. 2 and 3 are Darius Rucker “Wagon Wheel” and Blake Shelton w/Pistol Annies “Boys Round Here” which sold 102k and 99k respectively. Rucker’s track is already Platinum and Shelton’s just turned Gold.
Country track sales are up a solid 7.4%, while all genre tracks are off, -2.6%. In actual numbers, YTD 2013 country track sales total 62.1 million units, comparing nicely with last year’s 57.8 million total.
There’s been a lot of great music hitting the streets this spring with more on the way, so make sure you’ve got some wrapped ’round your ears.
In the meantime, keep listening to the ringing of country’s Weekly Register…

Jerrod Niemann to Headline 'Classic Country Revival'

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niemannJerrod Niemann will headline the Third Annual YEP Presents Classic Country Revival, which will take place on Wednesday, May 29, at 3rd and Lindsley. Additional performers will include James Otto, Sarah Darling, Striking Matches, Brinley Addington, Westbound Rangers, Two Story Road and Ben Danaher, as well as special guests.
“The artists inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame created the foundation that our industry is built on,” said Marc Rucker, Crush Management Nashville and a member of the Board of Directors for the Young Entertainment Professionals Network (YEP). “We want to pay tribute to them and make sure their legacy is remembered and revered for generations to come. Accordingly, we’ll be donating the proceeds from this event to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.”
Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show begins at 7 p.m. Tickets went on sale yesterday (May 7). Tickets are $10 in advance at www.3rdandlindsley.com or $15 at the door. All proceeds will be donated to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Taylor Swift To Take RED Tour To Australia, New Zealand

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swift52311Taylor Swift will bring her largely successful RED Tour to stadiums and arenas overseas in Australia and New Zealand this year. Swift will perform for fans in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Auckland.
Tour dates in Australia and New Zealand include:
Nov. 29—Auckland, New Zealand’s Vector Arena
Dec. 4—Sydney, Australia’s Allianz Stadium
Dec. 7—Brisbane, Australia’s Suncorp Stadium
Dec. 11—Perth, Australia’s NIB Stadium
Dec. 14—Melbourne, Australia’s Etihad Stadium

The Australia and New Zealand portion of The RED Tour is produced and promoted by The Frontier Touring Company. Tickets are priced at $85, and pre-sale tickets will be available from Tuesday, May 14 through Wednesday, May 15 at frontiertouring.com/taylorswift. General public tickets go on sale Tuesday, May 21.

Taylor made a video announcement of the new tour dates (see below):

DISClaimer: Don't Complain That Authentic Country Singers Can't Be Found

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DISCovery Winners: Lennon and Maisy

DISCovery Winners: Lennon and Maisy


The music on the TV soap Nashville is consistently better than most of what the “real” country-music industry produces in its namesake town. For one thing, the show spotlights the songwriting of the likes of David Olney, Lucinda Williams, Patty Griffin, Sarah Buxton, John Paul White, Kacey Musgraves and Georgia Middleman, rather than the parade of hacks who provide the bulk of the material you hear on country radio. For another thing, most of the tracks are produced by T Bone Burnett, who knows more about roots music than most Music Row producers even suspect.
That said, it gives me great pleasure to present a DISCovery Award to Lennon Stella & Maisy Stella for their delightful performance of The Lumineers’ “Ho Hey” from the show’s second soundtrack CD.
For those of you who complain that authentic country singers can no longer be found, I direct your attention to Chris Young. He is country, and he is great. He is also this week’s winner of the Disc of the Day prize.
Chris Young receives Disc of the Day for

Chris Young receives Disc of the Day for “Aw Naw.”


CHRIS YOUNG/Aw Naw
Writer: Chris Young/Chris DeStefano/Ashley Gorley; Producer: James Stroud; Publisher: EMI Blackwood/Maple Kind/EMI April/Sugar Glider/External Combustion/Out of the Taperoom/Songs of Southside Independent, BMI/ASCAP; RCA
—This man is one helluva hoss of a country singer. In this righteous stomper, he’s a barroom boy trying to do the right thing and go home. But while electric guitars twang and percussion thumps, he gives in to temptation.
MORGAN FRAZIER/Yellow Brick Road
Writer: Morgan Frazier/Jim Brown/Steve Clark; Producer: Buddy Cannon; Publisher: Curb/Sweet Manic/House of Sea Gayle/Antlered One/Mom’s Place, ASCAP; Sidewalk
—Frazier, who records for the Curb imprint Sidewalk Records, has just been announced as the Grand Prize Winner of this year’s John Lennon Songwriter’s Competition. Her co-written single for Sidewalk is a cleverly penned bopper wherein she feels lost in a romance Land of Oz “where nothin’s real.” The icing on the cake is that she sings with fiery zeal.
LENNON STELLA & MAISEY STELLA/Ho Hey
Writer: Jeremy Fraites/Wesley Schultz; Producer: T Bone Burnett & Gabriel Wichter; Publisher: The Lumineers/Songs of Kobalt, BMI; Big Machine (track)
—These sisters play the daughters of “Rayna Jaymes” on the TV soap Nashville. On it, they introduced their charming take on The Lumineers’ breakthrough song a couple of weeks ago. Now it’s a single, and it sounds as lilting and lovely as it did on the small screen. Their harmonies are heavenly, and the crunchy backing track strums along splendidly.
CHANTAL KUEGLE/Now That I Get to Drive
Writer: Chantal Kuegle/Tami Hinesh; Producer: Kent Wells; Publisher: none listed, SOCAN/BMI; Go Time (track)
—She has a solid alto delivery that completely takes charge of the song. The track rocks, but is tastefully mixed so that it never overwhelms her.
JANA KRAMER/I Hope it Rains
Writer: Rachel Proctor/Kelley Lovelace/Jerry Flowers; Producer: Scott Hendricks; Publisher: EMI Apirl/Shadowcash/Didn’t Have to Be/EMI Blackwood/JFLO, ASCAP/BMI; Elektra
—I like this artist, but I’m still waiting for her to perform an undeniable song. In this case, the poppy, harmony-soaked choruses are ultra catchy, but the verses kinda just lay there.
BOBBY ARMSTRONG/Rodeo
Writer: Bobby Armstrong/Darrell Brown; Producer: Darrell Brown; Publisher: Bobby Armstrong/Grey Ink/Kobalt, ASCAP; BA
—The speedy, neo-rockabilly track cooks with gas. The song is loaded with hooks. There’s nothing particularly “country” about his vocal style. The single comes packaged with a dance-mix version.
SCOTTY McCREERY/See You Tonight
Writer: Scotty McCreery/Ashley Gorley/Zach Crowell; Producer: Frank Rogers; Publisher: Scotty McCreery/External Combustion/Out of the Taperoom/Songs of Southside Independent/Who Wants to Buy My Pub, BMI/ASCAP; Mercury/19 (CDX)
—Breezy and easy-going, this wafts along carried by its innocence, charm and earnestness. For the romantic young and the romantic young at heart.
CHRIS CAGLE/Dance Baby Dance
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Bigger Picture (ERG)
—Daddy watches his little girl grow up. Complete mush, but impossible to resist and beautifully melodic.
RANDY HOUSER/Runnin’ Outta Moonlight
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Stony Creek (ERG)
—Houser’s comeback does my heart good. He was born to sing, and this bouncy song is perfectly concocted for summertime listening. Eminently playable.
THE WESTERN SWING AUTHORITY/I’ve Got a Feeling
Writer: Shane Guse/Larry Wayne Clark; Producer: Jason Berry & The Western Swing Authority; Publisher: Brainchild, SOCAN; WSA (track)
—These folks are sort of the Canadian version of The Time Jumpers. Their new single is a bluesy, hold-her-tight, slow dance, buoyed by swaying fiddles, dreamy steel notes and deftly plucked guitar licks. Lead singer Stacey Lee Guse sounds like she just stepped out of a 1940s cabaret. Lush and fabulous. The album is called All Dolled Up. Seek it out.

All Access Names New Nashville Editor

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R.J. Curtis (top) and Jim Asker (bottom).

R.J. Curtis (top) and Jim Asker (bottom).


All Access/Nashville Editor Jim Asker has resigned from his post, with Country Aircheck VP/Country R.J. Curtis filling the vacated position beginning Monday, May 20. All Access’ online community covers the music and radio industry across various music genres, including country, contemporary Christian, alternative, rock, Top 40 and other genres.
Asker and Curtis will work together in a transitional role over the next four weeks.
All Access co-Founder, President & Publisher Joel Denver says, “I am truly sorry to see my dear friend and colleague Jim Asker move on after starting our Nashville office some 12 years ago. This began as a discussion several months back, and after chatting with several very qualified candidates, has culminated with choosing R.J. Curtis, who Jim and I both feel is the right person for this role as All Access/Nashville Editor as he has a terrific background in Country radio and the Country music industry.”
“12 years at All Access,” says Asker, “It’s really hard to wrap myself around that sometimes. I came to All Access after leaving radio and Joel and (co-Founder VP/CFO) Ria Denver didn’t have a Nashville office yet. Back then a good portion of the Nashville music community, did not have All Access on their ‘radar’ yet. I am proud of what we accomplished here and have really enjoyed working with Joel and Ria and the entire All Access staff. Joel and Ria have become like family to me, and we have been through a lot together. I’m going to really miss everyone.”
Curtis’ career includes time in radio at KZLA/Los Angeles,  KNIX/Phoenix and KKYX/San Antonio. He also served as the R&R Country Editor, a past CRS President, and the current CRS VP. Curtis worked as the Midwest Director of Promotion at Arista Nashville before joining radio publication Country Aircheck.
Curtis says, “I’m honored and flattered at the invitation from Joel and Ria to join the All Access family. My goal is to build on the already successful Country brand Jim Asker has created in the Nashville community, utilizing the experience and relationships established during my career in radio, records and trade publications. Radio still excites me every day and I will always draw inspiration from the music, artists and label partners in our format. I also need to express my appreciation to Lon Helton, Chuck Aly and the entire Country Aircheck team for allowing me to be part of their credible and respected industry publication for the past two-and-a-half years, which have been a period of professional discovery and growth that will forever benefit me.”
R.J. Curtis can be reached at [email protected].
 

[Updated] UMPG Acquires Criterion Catalog

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On the same day that UMPG announced its acquisition of Criterion Music Corporation, The Voice contestant Danielle Bradberry propelled one of Criterion’s catalog hits to No. 1 on the iTunes country chart by performing a show-stealing cover of “Maybe It Was Memphis” (see video below). The song, made famous by Pam Tillis in 1992, experienced an overnight resurgence with Bradberry’s version becoming the No. 1 Country track on iTunes, and Top 5 on iTunes overall.

As previously reported:
Criterion_Logo_ColorUniversal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) has acquired Criterion Music Corporation and affiliated entities, it was announced today (May 7) by Zach Horowitz, Chairman & CEO, UMPG, and Bo Goldsen, President of Criterion.
Goldsen, who was responsible for signing Rosanne Cash (“Seven Year Ache”), Lyle Lovett (“If I Had a Boat”) and Rodney Crowell (“Shame on the Moon”), will continue as President of the company his father Mickey Goldsen founded in the 1950s.
Country titles include Highway 101’s “Somewhere Tonight,” Garth Brooks’ “Standing Outside the Fire,”  Pam Tillis’ “Maybe It Was Memphis,” John Michael Montgomery’s “I Can Love You Like That” and Eddie Raven’s “I Got Mexico.” Additionally, the catalog includes cuts from Lee Hazlewood (“These Boots Are Made for Walkin’,”) Jackson Browne (“Doctor My Eyes”) and jazz musician Charlie “Bird” Parker (“Ornithology”).
“Over seven decades, the Goldsen family has built one of the finest collections of songs in contemporary music publishing,” said Zach Horowitz. “We are privileged that they have entrusted their legacy to UMPG.”
Criterion will relocate to UMPG’s Santa Monica, Calif. headquarters under the new acquisition. Loeb & Loeb represented Criterion Music in the transaction. Munger Tolles & Olson represented UMPG.
Criterion began after music publishing veteran Mickey Goldsen purchased Capitol Songs, the publishing endeavor he helped create for the newly founded Capitol Records in 1943.

Carrie Underwood To Perform 'Sunday Night Football' Opening Theme on NBC

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carrie-underwood-blown-away1Carrie Underwood, has been selected to perform “Waiting All Day for Sunday Night,” the opening theme for primetime television’s Sunday Night Football on NBC. Underwood, the season-four winner of American Idol, makes her Sunday Night Football debut on Sunday, Sept. 8 on NBC’s first SNF broadcast of the 2013 NFL season.
The game will feature a heated NFC East rivalry game when Dallas Cowboys host the New York Giants. The opening theme will continue each week kicking off Sunday Night Football every Sunday night throughout the NFL season on NBC.
“I am thrilled to be a part of NBC’s Sunday Night Football and am so honored they asked me,” said Underwood. “I have always loved football season, and it is so exciting to now become part of it every Sunday night!”
“Carrie Underwood was our first and only choice to perform the Sunday Night Football opening,” said SNF producer Fred Gaudelli. “She’s one of America’s most popular entertainers and the perfect fit for our show.”
Fellow country artist Faith Hill performed the theme from 2007 until 2012.

Chesney to Appear on 'Katie'

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chesneyKenny Chesney will appear on Katie with Katie Couric on May 13.
“Katie is so smart, and so good,” Chesney says of the woman whose talk show received multiple Emmy nominations in its first season. “When you talk to her, you can tell she doesn’t just understand, she gets it and that makes you want to really talk to her. That kind of interviewing is rare, and I’m so glad we were able to make it happen.”
The show, which also features two segments of First Responders in the Boston Marathon Bombing and a mother/daughter who were both injured, focuses on Chesney’s Spread The Love Fund, earmarked to help the injured get prosthetics
.
“Meeting the firemen and policemen, EMTs and the doctor who was running the Marathon and broke through the police barricade to treat the injured,” the songwriter says, “was really a profound perspective giver. You look at those people, who didn’t think about their own safety, but helping others – and you realize what a hero really is!”
He also performed a stripped down version of his album Life On A Rock’s “Spread The Love” with guitarists Kenny Greenberg and Clayton Mitchell, the song the Wailers had recorded in Jamaica they asked Chesney to write lyrics for. Chesney’s portion of the money from all downloads of “Spread The Love” will go to the Spread the Love Fund.
Chesney’s No Shoes Nation Tour hits Dallas May 11 at Cowboys Stadium.

ASCAP Honors Top Christian Songs

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ASCAP honored a plethora of artists and songwriters at last night’s (May 6) ASCAP Christian Music Awards, held at the Franklin Theater in Franklin, Tenn. After opening with a prayer, group Finding Favour began with an acoustic performance of “Slip On By.” Jon Egan, on the worship staff at Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colo., performed “Overcome,” and shared the story’s origin. Daniel Bashta also performed his self-penned song “God’s Not Dead.”
Phil Keaggy, who has recorded more than 50 albums and who dominated the Dove Awards’ Instrumental album award category from 1998-2001, was awarded with the Golden Note award. Keaggy’s close friends Chris and Jan Harris introduced Keaggy and congratulated him not only on the award, but on celebrating 40 years of marriage to wife Bernadette. ASCAP’s Paul Williams called Keaggy a “soul catcher, because when you play, you catch our souls.”
Keaggy did just that, when he brought the crowd to their feet in an extended standing ovation while he performed “Salvation Army Band” on acoustic guitar.
Other top awards handed out that evening included Christian Music Publisher of the Year, which Capitol Christian CMG took home for a 10th consecutive year. Song of the Year went to Matt Redman‘s “10,000 Reasons.” Matthew West was honored as Songwriter/Artist of the Year. Ben Glover, who has earned more than 20 No. 1 hits on both the Country and Christian charts was honored as Songwriter of the Year.
ASCAP’s Michael Martin and LeAnn Phelan were on hand to honor the writers and publishers of some of Christian music’s best-selling compositions.Those in attendance included Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, Chris August, Jason Gray, Brandon Heath, Dan Muckala, Josh Wilson, The Afters and others.

Pictured (L-R): ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan, Paul Williams, Phil Keaggy, ASCAP’s Michael Murphy, ASCAP CEO John LoFrumento.

Pictured (L-R): ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan, Paul Williams, Phil Keaggy, ASCAP’s Michael Martin, ASCAP CEO John LoFrumento.


Songs honored during the evening include:
1. “Carry Me To The Cross,” performed by Kutless and written by Nick de Partee. Publishers: Capitol CMG Music Publishing, Indecisive Music Publishing, Thirsty Moon River Publishing
2. “10,000 Reasons,” written and performed by Matt Redman. Publishers: Said and Done Music, sixsteps Music, Thankyou Music, worshiptogether.com songs
3. “White Flag,” performed by Passion ft. Chris Tomlin and written by Matt Redman. Publishers: Said and Done Music, sixsteps Music, Thankyou Music and worshiptogether.com songs
4. “God’s Not Dead,” written by Daniel Bashta and performed by Newsboys. Publishers: Go Forth Sounds, sixsteps Music, worshiptogethersongs.com
5. “Live Like That,” written by Ben Glover and performed by Sidewalk Prophets. Publishers: 9 T One Songs and Capitol CMG Publishing
6. “Proof Of Your Love,” written by Mia Fields, Ben Glover and Joel Smallbone and performed by For King and Country. Publishers: 9 T One Songs, Capitol CMG Publishing, Method To The Madness, Shankel Songs, Shout! Music Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music Publishing
7.”Busted Heart,” performed by For King and Country and written by Ben Glover and Joel Smallbone. Publishers: Method To The Madness, Screaming Norman Music, Shankel Songs, Warner/Chappell Music Publishing
8. “Jesus Friend of Sinners,” written by Matthew West and performed by Casting Crowns. Publishers: Combustion Music, Songs For Delaney and Warner/Chappell Music Publishing.
9. “Forgiveness,” Written and performed by Matthew West. Publishers: Combustion Music, Songs For Delaney, Warner/Chappell Music Publishing.
10. “Overcome,” written by Jon Egan, Benji Cowart and Michael Weaver and performed by Jeremy Camp. Publisher: Vertical Worship Songs
11.”I Need A Miracle” performed by Third Day, and written by David Carr, Mac Powell, Mark Lee and Tai Anderson.
12. “Trust In Jesus,” performed by Third Day, and written by David Carr, Mac Powell, Mark Lee and Tai Anderson.
13. “The Light In Me,” performed by Brandon Heath and written by Dan Muckala and Brandon Heath. Publishers: Big Skwawka Music, Wintergone Music.
14. “Good To be Alive,” performed by Jason Gray and written by Jason Gray and Brandon Heath. Publishers: Big Skwawka Music, Centricity Music Publishing, Nothing Is Wasted Music and Sony/ATV Music Publishing.
15. “Learning To Be The Light,” performed by Newworldson and written by Joel Parisien and Thomas Salter. Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing.
16. “Love Come To Life,” performed by Big Daddy Weave and written by Michael Weaver. Publishers: Weave Country, Word Music
17. “Redeemed,” performed by Benji Cowart and Michael Weaver and performed by Big Daddy Weave. Publishers: Weave Country, Word Music.
18. “One Thing Remains,” performed by Passion ft. Kristian Stanfill and written by Brian Johnson and Jeremy Riddle. Publishers: Bethel Music Publishing, Mercy Vineyard Publishing.
19. “The Hurt and the Healer,” performed by MercyMe and written by Bart Millard, Barry Graul, James Phillip Bryson, Nathan Cochran, Michael Scheuchzer, Robby Shaffer. Publishers: Wet As A Fish Music, Simpleville Music
20. “When Mercy Found Me,” performed by Rhett Walker Band, written by Jeff Pardo. Publisher: Simple Tense Songs
21. “You Lead,” performed by Jamie Grace and written by Tim Rosenau and David Wyatt. Publishers: Songs of Emack, Capitol CMG Publishing.
22. “Me Without You,” performed by TobyMac and written by David Garcia. Publishers: D Soul Music, Capitol CMG Music Publishing
23. “He Said,” performed by Group 1 Crew featuring Chris August and written by Ben Glover and David Garcia. Publishers: 9 T One Songs, Capitol CMG Publishing, D Soul Music.
24. “All This Time,” performed by Britt Nicole and written by David Garcia, Britt Nicole, and Ben Glover. Publishers: i T One Songs, Britt Nicole Publishing, Capitol Christian CMG Publishing, D Soul Music
25. “Center Of It,” performed by Chris August and written by Ben Glover and Chris August. Publishers: 9 T One Songs, Capitol CMG Publishing, Word Music

No. 1 Party Toasts Whirlwind Hit 'Tornado'

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Pictured are, back row (l-r): Capitol Nashville’s Mike Dungan, BMI’s Jody Williams, and EMI Blackwood Music’s Josh Van Valkenberg; front row (l-r): Little Big Town’s Jimi Westbrook, Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman and Phillip Sweet; and co-writers Delta Maid and Natalie Hemby. Photo by Rick Diamond

Pictured are, back row (l-r): Capitol Nashville’s Mike Dungan, BMI’s Jody Williams, and EMI Blackwood Music’s Josh Van Valkenburg; front row (l-r): Little Big Town’s Jimi Westbrook, Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman and Phillip Sweet; and co-writers Delta Maid and Natalie Hemby. Photo by Rick Diamond


“We’d never heard a girl call herself a tornado,” said Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild yesterday (May 6) during a No. 1 party for “Tornado” at BMI, as she recalled the decision to record the song after hearing a rough demo. Penned by Natalie Hemby and Delta Maid, “Tornado” went on to become the title track of Little Big Town’s latest studio album and the band’s second chart-topper.
The song was the result of Hemby and Delta Maid’s first meeting—a meeting that almost didn’t happen.
It was Hemby’s last writing appointment of 2011, and Delta Maid’s last writing appointment during her first-ever visit to Nashville. For various reasons, they almost cancelled on each other. “Coming to Nashville was a massive dream,” shared Delta Maid, a native of Liverpool, England who grew up on a steady diet of traditional country music from Lefty Frizzell to Hank Williams. In recent years she has opened for Ray LaMontagne and Ron Sexsmith. Her career is being shepherded locally by manager Stuart Dill, who helped arrange her initial trip to Music City. “The first time I came to Nashville, I wrote a No. 1 song, which is mad,” she exclaimed. BMI’s Jody Williams presented a guitar to commemorate the occasion.
UMG Nashville boss Mike Dungan took the stage and described an “ugly” race to the pinnacle of the radio charts, with the goal of securing back-to-back No. 1s for Little Big Town. “We went to war,” he said as he handed over pointed crystal trophies he jokingly referred to as the “impaler award.” In fact, UMG was so proud of the accomplishment that several out-of-town team members flew in for yesterday’s party.
“We live for that passion and energy,” exclaimed LBT’s Phillip Sweet as he toasted the radio promotion crew.
Hemby, who also had a writing credit on Little Big Town’s previous No. 1 “Pontoon,” was celebrating her fourth No. 1 yesterday. The hot-as-fire tunesmith has at least two other current singles: “Don’t Rush,” by Kelly Clarkson ft. Vince Gill, and “Downtown,” by Lady Antebellum.
Josh Van Valkenburg, who works with Hemby at Sony/ATV, saluted her with a series of quotes from her peers. Among the touching tributes describing her character and talents: “a unique truth,” “liked and respected,” and “literally making history with her words and music.”
Hemby thanked her loved ones, including hubby Mike Wrucke, and her music biz parents who taught her the importance of integrity.
Representatives from CRS, CMA and Avenue Bank also toasted the writers and artists. Several people thanked Little Big Town producer Jay Joyce, who was absent from the event.
“We like the way this feels,” summed Fairchild.
Here’s betting they have that feeling many more times.